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THE LEADERS OF Sinn Féin and the DUP haven’t been invited to the White House for traditional St Patrick’s Day reception. Not yet, at least.
Mary Lou McDonald and, it’s understood, Arlene Foster have yet to receive an invite to this Thursday’s reception.
However, former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr have apparently been invited.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson confirmed that as things stand Adams has received an invite but McDonald has not.
“The issue of invites to the reception are a matter for the White House. We are awaiting to hear from them on the invite list and we expect to hear from them later in the week,” the party said in a statement.
It’s understood that the party is still hopeful that an invite may be extended.
A spokesperson for the DUP said that Arlene Foster will not be travelling to the US for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
“Mrs Foster has received a number of invitations to meet with key influencers in Washington and New York,” the spokesperson said. “She plans to fulfil these later in the year.
The DUP leader has asked deputy leader Nigel Dodds to attend a number of events Washington DC, including the Speaker’s Lunch, on behalf of the party.
Sinn Féin’s delegation to the US this week is three-strong, with McDonald joined by Adams and the party’s deputy leader Michelle O’Neill.
The leaders of both parties have traditionally been invited to the annual event each year since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 due to their role and participation in the peace process.
It’s believed that the lack of an invite for the two leaders this year may be related to the ongoing failure to return to power-sharing in the north.
The Northern Assembly at Stormont has been without a functioning executive since January of 2017.
McDonald officially took over from Adams last month, bringing a curtain down on his 35-year tenure as president.
With reporting by Christina Finn
TheJournal.ie’s political reporter Christina Finn will be bringing you all the latest updates from Leo Varadkar’s visit to Washington this week, including his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Stay up-to-date by following @ChristinaFinn8, @TJ_Politics and TheJournal.ie’s Facebook page.
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There will be hell toupee if he gets in
The Blind interviewing the incapable of Seeing!
serious milf
Serious moron also
Thick as pig poo
These people make me sick “The Bible is my favourite book”, ya Donald, the slavery parts or the stuff about how to treat adulterers? How many times were you married Donald? Total hypocrite
MILF
Would you say something like that about a male political?
DILF?
Boring Neal
She’s so hot.
So fixing roads and keeping out the Mexicans is what’s gonna make America great again?
Two peas in a crazy pod.
Diarmuid – It must be at least half true if you recognise Craziness ???
Yes Edward I hate disingenuous, populist politicians who spoof, deflect and say nothing all day.
Will you be giving a grand to Trump 2016?
I’d prefer either of these loons to Hilary Clinton. Jesus, what’s the US presidency coming to?
I hope to god someone worth considering and with realistic prospects of contention enters this race fast. It’s getting seriously worrying and looks like a parody show.
In Europe both Palin and Trump seem totally delusional but then the US is not Europe
True. Both have a massive capacity for foot in mouth and neither will get elected. Trump is ding this on ego and knows full well he won’t get elected. It won’t do any harm to his profile and standing by running. But he knows he hasn’t a hope.
feeling the Bern?
Is this considered an interview
Just loads of rich entitled white guys running against the most right wing Democrat.
Sanders is beating Hilary in several early voting state polls.
Find me a poor democrat
Two morons meet
So the OAN network ? Any quotes from this interview could be referred to as oanism(s) ,sounds right .
Americans are obsessed with celebrity and thats the only reason he has support….he’s a celebrity not a politician so he’s there til he decides otherwise….look at the talents of the Kardashians…America would support her run for the White House too…sad but true
Hot woman.
Hilary’s lucky Sarah isn’t running against her. She wouldn’t get a look in.
Hot woman.
Hilary’s lucky Sarah isn’t running against her. She wouldn’t get a look in.
Google what she said in the past and have a laugh at that?
I was expecting a bag of tom cat nonsense but it didn’t happen…
have your say